The Solothurn canton is a refined blend of the Jura mountains and the curves of the Aare river. You find yourself in a land of baroque elegance where the number eleven has a mysterious hold over the architecture. Hills are topped with castle ruins and high lookouts like Balmberg.
The road climbs the Weissenstein mountain providing one of the most famous panoramas of the Alps. You find yourself in deep gorges like the Verena, a mystical site with hermitages carved into the rock. The province is known for its fine stone work and the grand fountains that decorate the tidy village squares.
You can observe people cycling along the river banks toward Altreu, a village famous for its massive stork colony. The vibe is light and welcoming with a touch of mystery in the old legends of the woods. The Solothurn canton is a baroque treasure that offers you a peaceful journey through a landscape of water and stone.
Solothurn (canton) highlights
- Weissenstein Panorama Take the cable car or the steep road to the top of the local mountain ridge. On clear days the entire chain of the Alps appears like a white wall on the horizon.
- Verena Gorge Hermitage Follow the cool forest path through a narrow canyon to find two small chapels carved into the rock. A hermit still lives here, maintaining the silent gardens.
- St. Ursus Cathedral Admire the masterwork of baroque architecture built with light colored Jura limestone. The number eleven is hidden everywhere in the steps, altars, and bells.
- Altreu Stork Village Visit the village where dozens of white storks nest on the roofs of traditional houses. The fields along the Aare river are filled with these massive birds in summer.
- Waldegg Castle Explore the grand gardens and summer residence of the former French ambassadors. The ornate rooms show the immense wealth of the baroque era in this region.
- Balsthal Castle Ruins Hike to the ruins of Neu Bechburg perched on a rocky outcrop above the village. It offers a great view of the narrow passes that once controlled the local trade.
- Grenchenberg Drive to this high ridge for a rugged Jura landscape of wind swept trees and limestone walls. It is a prime spot for watching hang gliders take flight.
- Aare River Cruise Take a slow boat trip from the capital toward Biel to see the landscape from the water. The river bends are home to rare birds and quiet fishing spots.
- Büren an der Aare Stop in this small town with a perfectly preserved wooden bridge and painted facades. It is a quiet alternative to the larger centers for a lunch break.
- Naturmuseum Solothurn See the famous fossilized turtles and dinosaur tracks found in the nearby Jura mountains. It explains the tropical history of the region from millions of years ago.
The local Four
History of Solothurn (canton)
The Solothurn canton is a masterclass in baroque elegance and diplomatic intrigue. Known as the City of the Ambassadors it served as the official residence for the kings of France representatives for nearly 300 years. This French influence transformed a medieval bridge town into a sophisticated center of art and luxury. The grand palaces and ornate fountains you see today were funded by the wealth of diplomats who brought the style of Versailles to the banks of the Aare River.
There is a mysterious side to the local history centered on the number eleven. For reasons that are still debated by historians the region became obsessed with this number centuries ago. The St. Ursus Cathedral has eleven altars eleven bells and the stairs are divided into sets of eleven. Even the local beer and chocolate are tied to this mathematical riddle. This unique tradition gives the province a sense of magic and precision that sets it apart from other industrial cantons.
Beyond the city walls the history is carved into the limestone of the Jura Mountains. In the Verena Gorge hermits have lived in stone caves since the early Middle Ages maintaining a silent garden that feels completely removed from the modern world. The region has always been a place of balance between the political power of the French crown and the quiet solitude of the forest. The history of the canton is a story of how a small river crossing became a refined and mathematically curious area.